Head of IT

The role

As the Head of IT, you will lead the strategic direction, development, and management of IT services for the Department of Engineering Science. You will oversee a dynamic team of IT professionals, ensuring the delivery of innovative and effective IT solutions across research, teaching, and administrative functions. This role also offers the opportunity to enable the Department’s Digital Transformation.

Your responsibilities will include:

Strategic IT planning: Implement a forward-looking strategy to align IT services with the Departmental priorities.

Team leadership: Manage and mentor the IT team of approximately 29, promoting innovation, excellence and skill development.

Service delivery: Ensure IT services meet departmental needs, improve user satisfaction, and maintain resilience.

Stakeholder engagement: Build strong relationships with academics, staff, and university IT services to ensure seamless service delivery and effective communication.

Governance and compliance: Oversee IT risk management, security policies and regulatory compliance.

Budget and resource management: overseeing a £3.3m IT budget and procurement.

Technology innovation: Identify and implement technology solutions to enhance efficiency and support the department’s academic and administrative goals.

What we are looking for

To thrive in this varied and engaging role, we are looking for someone with:

• Extensive experience in IT management, strategy, and service delivery within a complex organisation.
• Proven leadership skills with a track record of managing and developing high-performing teams.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to deliver transformative IT solutions.
• Strong customer service skills and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, coupled with a deep understanding of IT governance, security, and compliance.

This role offers the chance to lead IT at one of the world’s foremost academic institutions, driving innovation and delivering services that support groundbreaking research and teaching.

About the team

The Engineering Science IT team, led by the Head of IT, comprises approximately 30 professionals responsible for the development and support of the core IT systems underpinning the Department’s operations. Reporting to the Head of IT, three senior IT professionals oversee Infrastructure (focused on the foundational platforms underpinning normal operations), Research Support (specialised service tailored to complex research needs), and Customer Support (traditional customer-facing IT support), managing day-to-day operations while the Head of IT maintains overall strategic oversight. Collaborating with researchers, professional staff, and central IT, the team ensures services meet the department’s complex and evolving needs.

The team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services, offering mutual support, and fostering technical excellence. We actively promote internal support and cross-team collaboration.

Our team values flexibility, with many team members working in a hybrid format. Additionally, some members of the team enjoy non-standard working hours, such as compressed or part-time schedules.

Advert information